Christmas Card 2010

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Trick or Treat

Ahhh. Halloween. My most favorite day of the year! We had a pretty full Halloween weekend- we went to the Midtown Fall Festival on Saturday with my brother, Kevin, and his family. The festival wasn't at all what I was expecting, but we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. We had some family photos taken (still waiting on the photographer to post), shared a funnel cake, and ultimately ended up in Best Buy, shopping around. The best part for me, honestly, was spending some much needed time with my family. I do miss them so and I have come down with a serious case of homesickness that has yet to subside. On Sunday, Bill and I spent the morning and early afternoon watching Halloween inspired movies while Noah watched Halloween shows of his own. At 4:30, I dressed Noah in his Big Al costume (University of Alabama team mascot) and we headed over to a local church for a "Trunk or Treat" festival. We walked around, playing games with Noah, letting him play on the playground, and finally at 5:30, the trunk or treating commenced. By that time, however, Noah had had just about enough of all the Halloween shenanigans and we only made it to three trunks before he had a near nuclear meltdown and we decided to leave. Noah is still a little young yet to grasp the concept of Halloween, so although I was a little disappointed that we didn't fill his treat bucket, Noah had a great time regardless. For posterity, and really for my own amusement, we trick or treated at our own house, hence the above photo. Noah enjoyed digging through the treat bowl for lollipops- oh, how he adores them! After feeding Noah dinner, we ran around the house lost in our usual routine, when I heard a knock on the door. I looked at the time and it was a little after 7 and realized we must have our very first Trick-or-Treaters ever! Upon opening the door, I beheld with my eyes a bevvy of princesses, dragons, ghosts, and goblins. They were so stinkin' precious, I nearly cried. I gave them almost every piece of candy in the bowl! Halloween is just magical to me. I have wonderful memories of Halloween from my childhood and I want to make sure that Noah has even fonder memories of his own! I made a promise to Noah the day I found out I was pregnant with him, that no matter what, I would make every day, regardless if it's a holiday or birthday or any other day, SPECIAL. Because he is special... to me.

Oh My Gourds!

It's that time of year- time for the annual Ebersole Halloween porch scene! And what is Halloween without pumpkins? We decided to take a drive into the country to a little place called "Country Pumpkin." Upon arrival, we were in awe at the expanse and activity at the pumpkin patch. There was a hayride for all ages, and cotton packin' (there is a huge cotton field on the property and offers great photo ops!) and  a corn box for the kids, and pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes as far as the eye could see. I especially loved the height chart for photos, too- except my husband is not the greatest photog, not even for an amateur, so our photos for that weren't that great... no biggie! There was even a little outdoor cafe! It was pumpkin insanity! It was unseasonably warm, so our stay was short and we are hoping to go one more time before Halloween to take part in all of the festivities! We had a great time and Noah was in HEAVEN. He was free from the stroller and we allowed him to run around from pumpkin to pumpkin! He loved pulling our John Deere wagon along, too (provided by the Country Pumpkin)! Even though we were there for less than an hour, we still had an amazing time, hence the reason we would love to go back again!

DUDE.

It has been over four months since my last post. Needless to say, I have been one busy momma! Classes started back in August and I have been extremely focused on passing them all- hopefully with A's so I can restore my GPA back to its former glory! Noah is still... my Noah. Just much more active, especially where climbing is concerned. He climbs on the computer desk. He climbs up onto the bed. He climbs onto the dining room table. Need I go on? He is definitely getting his battle scars where climbing is concerned, too. One time, he climbed into the rocking chair and fell face first into the wall, causing an astronomical nosebleed... I almost passed out. He was a trooper, though! Any time he has an accident, like the one just mentioned, Noah just dusts himself off and keeps on trucking. His determination is awe inspiring and I am so proud of him. He's such a happy little man. He loves to clap... and the most endearing thing that he does lately, is clap when he first wakes up. It's almost like he is saying, "Thank you, God, for another day!" How can a mommy not be touched by such a sweet thing? My child continues to teach me so many wonderful life lessons. Lessons he doesn't even realize he is teaching. I love being a mommy.

Bill and I have been having growing concerns about Noah's speech development... or lack thereof. He is EXTREMELY bright and completely understands everything. He's just not showing any interest in verbalizing yet. His pediatrician told us that it was normal for some babies, boys especially, to develop speech a little later than most. He went on to tell us that if he wasn't speaking by his second birthday, then he would refer us to a speech therapist. His doctor also suggested that we need to ignore Noah's demands (pointing or crying) in order to "force" him to speak. Needless to say, I was a little bothered by this "good ol" boy approach to encouraging my child's speech. Bill and I did follow this direction for a couple of weeks only to be met with building frustration- by all of us. I decided to take the matter into my own hands and called for a private screening for my child. We are still in the process of getting Noah evaluated, but we should be accepted into a pediatric speech therapy program for early intervention in the next few weeks. I am relieved to know that we are on track to have Noah talking within his age range by his 2nd birthday, which, if you can believe it, is only 4 months away! So mommy friends, I urge you to always seek a second opinion when it comes to important things in your child's life. And always, ALWAYS trust your instinct. God gave us maternal instinct for a reason!

It is now Fall... my favorite time of year! I am hoping to post more blogs as we get closer to Halloween and of course, the upcoming holidays! Christmas shopping is underway, too. I have most of it done (for Noah and Bill), but I have a few odds and ends to pick up. I have some new Christmas decor, which I am UBER excited about, so I will be posting blogs about my adventures in holiday decorating, too! Should be fun, because I am far from being an expert! I have more of a relaxed, hippie approach to decorating, a nod to my childhood I guess you could say. So be on the lookout for fun and jolly updates in the future! There will be lots to write about, for sure!

Just Another Manic Monday

So, another month is behind us and June is now in full swing. I haven't updated my blog in a couple of weeks, so I thought a little catching up was in order. I wish I had something interesting or exciting to report, but alas, I do not. Noah is, well, Noah. He's a toddler, he's all boy, and he is such a little explorer. Everyday is a new and exciting experience through his eyes and I absolutely love that. He keeps me young. I am beginning to think about his Christmas list... I realize it is June, but June is to the year as Wednesday is to the week. It's humpday for the year, and we all know it is downhill from here. Christmas will be here before we know it and I want to be prepared. Besides that, money doesn't go very far when there is only one income in the household, so planning ahead is for the best. I'll post my Christmas wishlist for Noah soon, once I have it worked out. I am trying to ease the financial stress by trying to find a job... as I have been trying to do the last 15 months to no avail. The job market is pretty slim pickins', but I still keep cranking out the resumes and filling out job applications. I adore being at home with Noah, but I think it will be beneficial for him to go into daycare- not only for socializing purposes, but for educational preparation as well. There's only so much I can do for him in a home setting and I want him to be well prepared for school, overly prepared, even. And I will not throw him into just any daycare. I will do my homework and research absolutely every childcare facility within a 60 mile radius. I want him to be successful- I will not set him up for failure before he even starts his school career. I don't want him going into kindergarten without a healthy dose of self confidence... or social skills for that matter. Noah is not uncivilized by any means. Honestly, I think he is way over on the other end of the spectrum. He's extremely personable and doesn't meet a stranger. He's never had stranger anxiety for that matter, which is good and bad. He loves everyone, especially other kids. He will go up to an unknown child and try to give them a hug and a kiss. It's extremely precious and heartwarming. But then I see the looks on the other parents' faces and it makes me feel sad... for them. Noah is innocent and loving, you know? Eh... anyway. I'm just rambling because this particular entry doesn't really have a point or purpose. I just wanted to write a little bit so I wouldn't lose my focus and passion for writing and updating this blog. 'Til next time, friends!

Life's a Circus and I'm the Ringmaster

Curious George ain't got nothin' on my little monkey! Noah is at a very fun age. Fun... and scary. He is into and ON everything. He has mastered the very fine art of climbing. He climbs on the sofa. He climbs on the coffee table. He climbs on the office chair. He climbs on the recliner. Next up, I'm sure he'll figure out a way to climb out of his crib... oy. Lord, help me. I suppose this is one of the first of many lessons in letting go that I will be learning over the next 18 years or so. I really can't stop him from doing what is in his nature to do. He's going to do it no matter what I say or do- again, it's that whole nature thing. Nature versus Nurture, is that right? Eh. I don't know. I do know I have a junior Johnny Knoxville on my hands. And don't worry- I will not allow my precious baby boy to grow up to be like that. Those movies are banned from my home, but I digress. So, sure, I scold him and/or tell him "no". But by the same token, I don't want to completely hold him back from learning how to do something, either. How else is he going to learn that there are consequences to his actions? The only way for him to grow, mentally and physically, is for him to push the boundaries every once in a while. I can't shelter him. I sure as heck don't want to be obsessively overprotective either. I want him to be free to be his own person. I just have to figure out the healthiest way to let go, for both our sakes. I assure you, though, I am keeping an EXTRA watchful on him.






Moving on to more fun things. Have you ever heard the proverbial saying regarding children, the one that says, "If they are quiet, they are up to something?" Well, it's true. A proverb isn't a proverb to you until you've lived it. My first brush with this little quip was when my husband and I first moved into our apartment back in April. I was cleaning up the kitchen and after standing there for a few moments trying to figure out why it was so painfully quiet, my mommy heart jumped into my throat... AHHHH, NOAH!!!! So I called out to him and heard him joyfully babble back. I walked into my bedroom and there in the middle of the floor, so precious and sweet, was my son, sitting in a pile of laundry with his daddy's shirt on. He proceeded to get up and walk around the apartment with this XXL orange t-shirt hanging around his neck, a train of fruity color trailing behind him. I couldn't help but laugh. What an adorable kid I have. Today, well, was a more valuable lesson learned. After putting away the groceries I had just brought in from the car, I realized Noah was quiet, yet again. A little TOO quiet. I walked around the corner, and my jaw dropped. Sitting there, amongst a mountain of Huggies wipes, was my little man, looking up at me with the most innocent look on his face, almost as if to say, "It wasn't me mommy, maybe it was the cat..." Noah had successfully emptied the entire container of wipes by the time I walked into his room. I couldn't be angry. I was the one who left them out. My bad. What else was I to do but grab my handy, dandy camera to forever document the chaos?! And I couldn't punish him for my momentaty lapse in memory, either. Normally, I keep the wipes put away, but in my haste to get to the grocery store, I left them within his reach. Lesson learned. I have to admit, though, that pile of wasted wipes ended up being the best five dollars I have ever spent. Thank you, Noah.



Make absolutely NO mistake. I am an extremely vigilant mom when it comes to my son's safety. I have made his room toddler friendly and I've baby proofed the entire apartment, from ceiling to floor. Bubble wrapping everything has crossed my mind, like in that Chuck-E-Cheese ad, but I realize that this is real life and not a commercial. Even our bedroom, which he is never in, is safe for him- because as previously stated, you never know with a curious toddler around. I have the most important things covered because that little boy is my heart and soul. It's the little, non-detrimental things that I don't think about that tend to come back and bite me in the purse strings. And lest we not forget, the extra time spent cleaning up the aftermath of a toddler on a mission. I can't complain, though. My life is filled with so much joy and wonder and utter chaos. I've been entrusted to protect my little cub as only a fierce momma bear can. I can tell ya, there's never a dull moment to be had around here, not since Noah was born. I fully accept that he's just a little boy learning how to navigate in a big boy world. And at the end of the day, that's all that matters.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Look at my little man (pre-first haircut). Noah has the most beautiful hair, don't ya think? Well, I think so. Perhaps I say this because I am bias. He is my progeny, after all. But his hair, with it's shiny, golden hue and soft, wispy curls just makes my mommy heart melt. Alas, I knew this was to be short lived. But to my credit, I did hold on as long as I could... just like any loving, slightly obsessive mother would. Noah's hair had gotten wild and unruly. And it was getting so long that he was beginning to look like an extra for the theater production of "Hair". So, I sucked it up and made an appointment for Noah's first haircut. My baby boy was about to hit a big boy milestone. Noah is easily distracted and entertained, so I booked his appointment at Kidz Kutz- specifically designed with children in mind. Appointment day came. Upon arrival, we checked in and looked around the place. They had seats in the shapes of cars, trucks, and airplanes- perfect! We chose the first one we came to, a Noah sized plane, and he was content with our choice. His stylist threw a cape around his tiny neck, misted his hair and began to snip. As she made her way to the back of his head, where the most precious and prized curls were, my eyes began to well... I figured Noah would be the one to cry or pitch a fit. Alas, I was the one who ended up spilling the tears. Yes, mommy had a small meltdown. That beautiful, golden tendril that I twirled around my finger while we watched Nickelodeon together, fell to the floor in one quick snip of the scissors. GONE. And gone with that lock of hair was my baby boy. But in an unexpected, happy twist, my now "big boy" Noah with his big boy hair cut, was looking back at me in the mirror with those huge, baby blue saucers of his and smiling a big toothy grin that would make the most hardened soul melt. He's growing up way too fast. I wish I could stop time, if only for a little while, so I could truly enjoy every moment without getting caught up in the day to day business of everyday life. I do hate how busy things get... laundry, housework, cooking meals, appointments, shopping, and now I can even add blogging to that list. It's a neverending, vicious cycle of things to do. (sigh) I do treasure all of the moments that I am so lucky and blessed to have with my son, though. I don't take any of those moments, no matter how mundane or insignificant they may appear, for granted. Not for a single second. Childhood is such a precious and fleeting thing. And I am thankful to God everyday that I was chosen to be a mom. To be Noah's mom. My cup runneth over...